Daniel Quadbeck
Such estimates were voiced during a meeting at the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MDED) on April 24 to agree on the results of the Competitiveness Outlook 2026 assessment. The event was organized in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) within the framework of the EU-funded project “Strengthening Trade and Competitiveness in the Eastern Partnership Countries”.
According to the Ministry’s information, the main objective of the meeting was to present and validate the analysis developed by OECD experts, as well as to strengthen the technical dialogue with relevant national actors. The discussions were aimed at confirming the accuracy of the preliminary results, identifying data gaps and complementing the analysis with updated information. And also to identify the priority reforms needed to bring the regulatory framework in line with European and international standards.
The analysis covers issues related to investment policy, functioning of financial markets, management of state-owned enterprises and competition policy, as well as transport infrastructure, integration into global value chains, employment and skills development.
There are both progress and challenges
“Moldova has made progress in advancing key reforms. Further efforts to accelerate structural reforms in areas such as state-owned enterprises, financial markets, and competition will be important to achieve productivity gains and support stronger and more sustainable economic growth. Today’s discussion confirms the authorities’ commitment to this agenda, and the OECD Competitiveness Review will support these efforts with concrete and actionable recommendations,” said Daniel Quadbeck, Head of the OECD’s Eastern Europe Unit.
In the investment area, the meeting appreciated the development of a new draft law on investment initiated by the Moldovan Ministry of Economic Development, emphasizing the need to integrate sustainability criteria and better monitor the impact of foreign direct investment on SMEs. At the same time, despite sufficient capital in the banking sector, the development of alternative sources of financing remains limited.
Regarding the management of state-owned enterprises, the adoption of a state ownership strategy was an important step, but the implementation of corporate governance standards and optimization of the enterprise portfolio needed to be accelerated. In the labor market, efforts to promote dual education and digitalization were noted, but better institutional coordination and reduction of urban-rural disparities are needed.
The final recommendations will be included in the full Competitiveness Outlook 2026 report, scheduled for completion in the third and fourth quarters of this year. This document will be an important strategic tool to strengthen further actions of the Government of the Republic of Moldova aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the national economy and moving the country on the European path.
